Eric pulled up in front of Emily’s apartment just as the evening sky began to blush with the colors of the setting sun. He spotted her waiting on the sidewalk, her face lighting up the moment she saw him. She opened the door and slid into the passenger seat, her soft greeting making Eric's heart skip a beat.

"Hi," she said with a sweet smile.

"Hi," Eric replied, his eyes twinkling. "Did you miss me?"

"Yes," Emily chuckled. "Did you miss me?"

Eric's smile widened. "Every minute of the day."

Emily giggled as Eric drove toward the park. The anticipation in the air was palpable, though she couldn't quite put her finger on why. Soon, they arrived, and Eric, ever the gentleman, rushed around the car to open her door.

"Come on, hold my hand and watch your step," he said, offering his hand.

Emily raised an eyebrow but took his hand nonetheless. "Eric, I’m pregnant, not made of glass. I can still do normal things."

He grinned, his voice soft as he leaned closer. "I know, but I want to make life as easy as possible for you."

Emily blushed, her heart fluttering at his sweetness. "Oh, you smooth talker."

Hand in hand, they strolled down the park's winding pathway, the cool breeze and fading sunlight creating a serene atmosphere. The vibrant colors of the setting sun cast a golden glow over everything, and Emily couldn’t help but look up at the sky in awe.

"It’s such a beautiful sunset," she said, her eyes reflecting the amber hues.

Eric, however, had his gaze fixed on her. "Yes, it is," he murmured, though he wasn’t looking at the sky.

As they continued walking, Emily noticed that Eric’s hand was a little sweaty, his grip slightly tense. She glanced at him curiously, sensing something off.

"Are you okay, Eric?" she asked, her voice soft with concern.

He cleared his throat. "Yeah… why?"

She studied him for a moment longer. "I don’t know, you just seem a bit nervous."

Eric shook his head quickly, flashing her a smile. "No, it’s nothing. Just your imagination."

Emily gave him a playful look, but let it slide. They walked in comfortable silence for a while, content with the simple act of being together. The park was peaceful, the sound of rustling leaves and distant birds twittering, filling the air.

"Why did you choose the park tonight?" Emily asked after a few minutes. "Do you come here often?"

Eric nodded. "I come here sometimes to sit and think. It’s peaceful. Whenever I’m stressed or need to clear my head, I come here. I wanted to share it with you."

Emily smiled. "It’s really beautiful and calming. I can see why you come here."

Eric’s voice softened. "I hear there’s going to be fireworks tonight for the local festival. We should be able to see them from here."

Emily’s eyes lit up. "Really? I love fireworks!"

As they rounded a bend in the path, the trees parted, revealing a shimmering lake ahead. But that wasn’t all. In front of the lake, a small table for two was set up, elegantly decorated with candles and roses. Emily stopped in her tracks, her breath catching.

"Eric," she gasped, her hand flying to her chest. "This is beautiful."

He smiled, watching her reaction with a mixture of excitement and nerves. "Do you like it? It’s all for you."

"For me?" Emily’s voice was barely above a whisper, her eyes wide with surprise.

Eric guided her to the table. "Yes, all for you. Come, sit."

Once they were seated, Eric reached into a picnic basket that had been placed beside the table. He pulled out a plate of beautifully decorated cakes, each one more delicate than the next.

Emily's eyes sparkled as she leaned forward. "These are adorable. Which one should I pick?"

"Whichever you want," Eric said, his gaze never leaving her face.

She chose one with pink frosting and tiny rosebuds, biting into it with a contented smile. "Mmm, this is delicious!"

Eric’s smile widened, his nerves starting to settle. "I’m glad you like it."

Just then, a loud crack split the air, followed by the shimmering burst of fireworks over the lake. Emily’s eyes widened in delight as she looked up at the sky, watching as the colorful explosions lit up the night.

"Oh, Eric, look!" she exclaimed. "The fireworks!"

He watched her for a moment, her face illuminated by the light show, before standing and walking to her side. With his heart pounding in his chest, he knelt down on one knee, taking her hand in his.

"Emily," he began, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "We may have met under unexpected circumstances, but I’m so grateful for every single moment we’ve shared. You’ve changed my life in ways I never imagined, and I don’t want to live another day without you by my side."

Tears welled up in Emily’s eyes as she realized what was happening. "Eric…"

He smiled through his own wave of emotion, squeezing her hand. "You’ve blessed me with the gift of being a father, and I can’t imagine a future without you in it. Emily, will you marry me?"

Tears spilled down Emily’s cheeks as she nodded, her voice choked with emotion. "Yes… yes! I’ll marry you!"

Eric stood, pulling her into his arms and kissing her with all the love and passion he had been holding inside. The fireworks above them continued to explode, but neither of them noticed anymore. In that moment, the world seemed to consist only of them.

When the final firework faded from the sky, they pulled apart, breathless but smiling.

"Eric," Emily said softly, "please don’t be mad, but… can you promise me one thing?"

Eric looked at her with curiosity. "What is it?"

"Can we wait until after the baby is born to get married?"

His brows furrowed slightly. "Why?"

"I don’t want to be pregnant in my wedding dress," she said, her voice shy but firm.

Eric laughed, pulling her close again. "Oh, my little vixen," he said with a grin. "If that’s what you want, we’ll wait. I’ll just have to be patient a little longer before I can make you mine forever."

"Thank you," Emily whispered, resting her head against his chest.

They held each other in the warm glow of the candles, the night peaceful around them. For the first time in a long while, everything felt perfect.